Time to Tour!
Finally! After all of the anticipation, planning and traveling - it is officially the first day of my Rick Steves tour. Since the group doesn't meet until later in the afternoon, I woke up early to do some more sight seeing. I spent the morning walking among the canals, eating a delicious chocolate croissant and a cappuccino, and explored St. Mark's Campanile - the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica, which offered beautiful views.
Next, I hit Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace, since it is one of the sites not included on the Rick Steves tour. The Doge's Palace is a beautiful Venetian Gothic style building that served as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. You also get the opportunity to walk through the Bridge of Sighs, which passes over the Rio di Palazzo into the prison from the Doge's Palace. If you have time to add this to your list, do it!
For more views, I headed to Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the top of a shopping mall that provided breathtaking views of the Grand Canal. After, I worked up quite the appetite for pasta, gelato and another glass of wine at Caffe Florian. Next, I took a pit stop on my way to meet the tour group and stopped at the Contarini del Bovolo - a beautiful late gothic building in the San Marco district.
Meet FerdiAll my nerves about the tour settled when I met Ferdi Menghi! Ferdi has been a tour guide with Rick Steves for over 25 years, and his experience shines through. From day one to the very last day, Ferdi made sure everyone felt welcome, safe and excited to explore. One part that makes Rick Steves tours unique is the truly amazing guides. For the remainder of the first day, our group took a orientation walk of Venice and ended the night with a wonderful Venetian dinner.
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Historic Venice
Day 2 in Venice focused around a historical walking tour with a local tour guide. We explored the Cannaregio area, learned all about Marco Polo in Italy, walked past the only hospital in Venice, which is covered in beautiful marble, and waved hello to a sweet venetian women from her window! Can you spot her in the far right photo?
With some free time in the late afternoon, I joined another solo traveler named Carol and we headed to tour San Marco Basilica, the cathedral church of the Catholic Patriarchate of Venice. Another perk of Rick Steves - you will likely make friends on the tour group and if you don't want to be alone, you can hangout with a buddy!
PRO TIP: Depending on when you are visiting, the sun will shine through the Basilica in the afternoon, completely changing how the light hits the gold. The left photo below is before the sun creeped in, and the right photo is when the sun was beaming through the windows to light up the whole room.
PRO TIP: Depending on when you are visiting, the sun will shine through the Basilica in the afternoon, completely changing how the light hits the gold. The left photo below is before the sun creeped in, and the right photo is when the sun was beaming through the windows to light up the whole room.
Venice's Accademia Gallery and Lagoon
Day 3 in Venice was focused around the Renaissance with a tour of the Accademia, where we got to see incredible Venetian art! Then we headed to Burano, an island in the Venetian Lagoon know for lace work and fun, brightly colored homes!
Late on Day 3, our tour group was able to take a beautiful gondola ride - and all of the solo travelers got the treat of being on the gondola with an amazing singer and guitar player, a true highlight of visiting Venice. After a wonderful day and delicious dinner, it was off to bed before heading to Florence in the morning!